NFIB Arizona is urging Congress to stop the massive tax hike on small business owners.

PHOENIX (Aug. 20, 2024) – In a conversation with Arizona’s Family Steven Sarabia, NFIB State Director Chad Heinrich warned that if Congress doesn’t act, the 20% Small Business Deduction will expire in 2025, which would result in a massive tax hike for Arizona job creators.

“It’s critical that this provision is made permanent,” Heinrich said. “Most [small business owners] said they hired employees, and they bought equipment. They used the tax savings to grow their business. This would probably be the largest tax increase for small businesses have seen in decades.”

CLICK HERE to watch the full conversation. CLICK HERE to listen to NFIB’s new ads airing in Arizona urging Congress to pass the Main Street Tax Certainty Act. CLICK HERE to view the Small Business Problems and Priorities report.

Background:

The 20% Small Business Deduction was created as a part of the 2017 tax law to level the playing field between small businesses and larger corporations. It has empowered small business owners to overcome the economic challenges of the last few years – but it’s set to expire at the end of 2025. The Main Street Tax Certainty Act would make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent and avoid a massive tax hike on a majority of America’s small businesses. Learn more at www.SmallBizDeduction.com.

Repost this news release here.

Keep up with the latest on Arizona small business news at www.nfib.com/arizona or by following NFIB on X @NFIB_AZ.

PHOENIX – Tuesday will be a hot day in the Valley, as we may see record-breaking temperatures.

The high in Phoenix on Aug. 20 will be around 112°F, which is one degree shy of the record that was set back in 2019.

An Excessive Heat Warning that was issued by the National Weather Service is set to expire at 8 p.m.

The rest of the week will be cooler in Arizona, as thunderstorm chances return to the state.

You can always check the latest weather conditions by visiting the FOX 10 Phoenix weather page, or download the Free FOX 10 Weather app, which is available on Apple iOS and Android.

Scroll down this page for satellite and radar, day planner, records, current temperatures, 10-day forecast, forecast highs, and recent rainfall totals, plus live video feeds.

 

The following heat safety information was provided by the Scottsdale Fire Department.

What are Heat Emergencies?

Heat Cramps: Profuse sweating, fatigue, extreme thirst, muscle cramps

Heat Exhaustion: Headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea/vomit, Cool/moist skin

Heat Stroke: Elevated temp. +103 degrees, confusion/irrational behavior, dry/hot skin, rapid shallow breathing, rapid weak pulse (shock), seizures, unconscious

What to do

• Get person into shade or cool location
• Cool person with cool, wet cloths (neck, groin, armpits, head) and fan body
• Sip cool water if person is alert
• For muscle cramps, massage muscles gently, but firmly until relaxed
• *If symptoms worsen, call 911

What not to do

• Do not give anything by mouth if person is vomiting, unable to swallow or unconscious
• Do not underestimate the seriousness of a heat emergency
• Prevention/Preparation for hike/exercise in heat

Know your limitations

• Hydrate (begins day prior to hike/exercise, hour before hike, during and after)
• Wear proper clothing, lightweight and light color, protect head, proper shoes
• Always carry a cell phone and best to hike with company
• Always tell someone where you are hiking and when to plan to return

Preventing heat exhaustion/heat stroke

The Arizona Department of Health Services stated the following precautions can be taken to prevent heat exhaustion or heat stroke:

• Stay in air-conditioned buildings
• Find a cooling center/hydration station
• Limit outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day (mid-day)
• Check on at-risk friends, family, and neighbors at least twice a day
• Drink water before, during, and after working or exercising outside
• Check the UV Index
• Check the heat risk map

Driving in extreme temperatures

The Arizona Department of Transportation’s tips for driving in extreme temperatures include: 

Have sun protection: In addition to an umbrella, take sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat and wear loose-fitting, light-colored cotton clothing.

Fuel up: Keep your tank at three-quarters full. Running out of gas, especially in a remote location, is dangerous in extreme heat.

Hydrate: Take a cooler to keep extra drinking water cold, and consider adding several frozen bottles of water to use for cooling off or to thaw and drink if needed. Make sure everyone, including pets, stays hydrated.

Get help: If your vehicle breaks down in extreme heat, call for assistance right away to reduce wait time, and run the AC. If the AC isn’t working, roll down all windows.

Wait safely: If the temperature inside your vehicle becomes too hot, everyone, including pets, should exit carefully and seek out or create a shaded area as far away from the travel lanes as possible. Be careful walking on the road surface, which can be hot enough to burn skin. Keep your shoes on and try to keep your pets’ paws off the pavement. If you are stopped along the highway, raise the front hood and turn on hazard lights. Please keep in mind that parking in tall brush can start a fire. 

Check your vehicle: You can help avoid breakdowns and blowouts by making sure your vehicle is in good operating condition. Check your air conditioner and coolant levels, top off any vital engine fluids and make sure your battery is up to par. Check your tire pressure, as the combination of under inflated tires and hot pavement can lead to a blowout.

Preparing for a severe thunderstorm 

The American Red Cross’ tips for preparing for a severe thunderstorm:

• Put together an emergency kit.
• Know your community’s evacuation plan.
• Create a household disaster plan and practice it.
• Purchase a battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Discuss thunderstorm safety with members of your household. Be aware that a thunderstorm could produce flooding.
• Pick a safe place in your home for household members to gather during a thunderstorm. This should be a place where there are no windows, skylights, or glass doors, which could be broken by strong winds or hail and cause damage or injury.

Be prepared and stay safe during the monsoon

“Most Valley residents know how quickly and furiously storms can move in and out, bringing strong winds, dust, rain, and flash flooding. These storms can cause interruptions in services, such as water, power, and gas,” stated Captain Ashley Losch of the Glendale Fire Department.

GFD reminds residents of ways they can be prepared and stay safe:

• Have flashlights with extra batteries on hand.
• Have food that can be prepared without the need for cooking or refrigeration.
• Have at least one gallon of clean water for each person in the household.
• Have backup power for anyone requiring power for a medical device.
• Have backup power for cell phones that do not require charging.
• Have a first aid kit ready and accessible.
• Never drive into areas with flowing water; it takes less than 10 inches to wash a car away.
• Avoid flooded areas, such as washes.
• If waters are rising, seek higher ground.
• Do not approach downed power lines, the ground can be energized for up to 200 feet.
• Keep pets indoors during storms.

MORE: https://azdot.gov/about/transportation-safety/severe-weather

PHOENIX (AZFamily)— The Republican National Committee is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to block about 40,000 registered voters in Arizona from casting a ballot for president in November.

The RNC wants the Supreme Court to issue an emergency ruling in the case by Thursday before counties start printing ballots.

The Arizona Secretary of State’s Office said the ruling could affect about 41,000 thousand voters, largely service members, students and Native Americans who did not have birth certificates when they registered to vote.

Less than 11,000 votes decided Arizona’s last presidential election.

The lawsuit concerns a 2022 law passed by the Republican-controlled legislature, but the case has its roots in 2004, when Arizona voters passed Proposition 200.

The law required Arizonans to show “documentary proof” of their citizenship before registering to vote.

Critics immediately argued the law conflicted with federal law, and there have been a series of legal fights since.

The National Voter Registration Act, which requires all states to register voters who complete a standardized form, is at the core of these lawsuits.

The form asks voters to swear they are citizens under penalty of perjury, but it doesn’t require them to submit proof.

After an initial round of lawsuits culminating in a Supreme Court ruling in 2013, Arizona agreed to partially register voters who complete the form without documentary proof of citizenship.

Those voters could only cast ballots in federal elections, not state or local races.

The issue remerged in 2022 after the Republican-controlled state legislature passed another law banning these “federal only” voters from casting a ballot for president or voting by mail.

Lower courts ruled against the 2022 law, but the RNC filed an appeal this month, asking the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene.

The RNC argued federal rules cannot supersede “the Arizona Legislature’s sovereign authority to determine the qualifications of voters.”

“I think this is people trying to make sure that we trust the elections,” said GOP political strategist Chad Heywood. “The voters in Arizona have already spoken on these issues. When you put them in front of the voters, they’re overwhelming that they want proof of citizenship for people to be able to vote in any fashion.”

Attorneys for the Biden Administration urged the Supreme Court to reject the RNC’s appeal, saying, “judicial intervention at this stage would undermine the orderly administration of the election, risking the disfranchisement of thousands of voters who have already registered to vote using the federal form.”

The 2022 law has never taken effect, but the RNC argues it should.

Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, representing the Biden Administration, wrote that a sudden change so close to the election would result in “confusion and chaos.”

See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it.

Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.

Copyright 2024 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved.